I'm hoping for some writing advice...

[SilverHeart 741]

I'd like to learn to write some stories...however my high school left me horribly underprepared for writing of any kind. I was hoping somepony would have advice on how to get started or prepared for writing a short story. Such as how in-depth the outline should be and so on. I should probably say I've never written any kind of fiction before. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Abstract 832]

I've found the best way is to jump into it, and read it back to yourself. It's easy to make mistakes when writing, but it's also fairly easy to point them out when reading. It also helps you get an idea of how in-depth you've gone, and if you need to go any further or back it off a bit. Post it up here for us to see, we'll critique it for you, and help you develop your skills.

[Thyflesh 35]

I would make sure you play it properly, make sure you have a good middle beginning and end. When I wrote stories I would always come up with the ending first, allowing me to add twists in the middle and come up with a really good way to start the story off.

 

I also found writing with non of this in mind made it very erratic and a mess.

[Mayuen 77]

As Thyflesh mentioned, having clear parts of the story made up is a good start, for example the end. You have something to build the story from.

 

My suggestion would be, don't think so much when you write the first time, just write down the ideas when they come to you. Then you can read it again, move around pieces and edit them as you see fit.I always have the problem that I think to much about what I write, it is better to just write.

 

And if you come to a part, then suddenly you come up with a "omg this is awesome" idea for a part further in the story, write it down! Thinking "I will remember it" is the worst thing to do, trust me... xD

[SilverHeart 741]

I've found the best way is to jump into it, and read it back to yourself. It's easy to make mistakes when writing, but it's also fairly easy to point them out when reading. It also helps you get an idea of how in-depth you've gone, and if you need to go any further or back it off a bit. Post it up here for us to see, we'll critique it for you, and help you develop your skills.

 

Thanks, I should really just do that. Unfortunately I'm great at procrastinating. Is there a certain subforum or minimum length I should meet for doing that?

 

I would make sure you play it properly, make sure you have a good middle beginning and end. When I wrote stories I would always come up with the ending first, allowing me to add twists in the middle and come up with a really good way to start the story off.

 

I also found writing with non of this in mind made it very erratic and a mess.

 

I had never thought of that...that is really smart. That should help alot thanks.

As Thyflesh mentioned, having clear parts of the story made up is a good start, for example the end. You have something to build the story from.

 

My suggestion would be, don't think so much when you write the first time, just write down the ideas when they come to you. Then you can read it again, move around pieces and edit them as you see fit.I always have the problem that I think to much about what I write, it is better to just write.

 

And if you come to a part, then suddenly you come up with a "omg this is awesome" idea for a part further in the story, write it down! Thinking "I will remember it" is the worst thing to do, trust me... xD

 

I noticed that. (About the remembering thing...I've done it a few times already) Thanks for the advice, hopefully I can come with something soon.

[NavelColt 22,880]

-You can always try outlines, to get the basic idea for what the story is going to flow like structurally. I find that if I am left to wing a story, I get distracted and unsure where to go with it very fast, and then loose interest. So that might be something you can consider.

 

-Someone mentioned reading it back to yourself. I recommend doing this out loud as well. My English teacher told me that there is a huge difference. You will often catch errors and think of other, better ways to word things in your writing if you read it out loud to yourself, as opposed to simply reading it back to yourself. I've tried it myself and he was absolutely right, I ended up making a lot of small changes in some of my stories due to that method of editing, that I didn't think about just my reading.

 

-Don't force yourself. More often than not it doesn't turn out the way you want it. If you have writer's block, seek inspiration, don't try and make yourself write anyway. The best writing comes from inspiration, when you want to write the story.

 

-Master the difference between showing and telling. Telling is the simple descriptions that don't describe the scene as a picture but more as the story itself, while showing is in-depth description that paints a vivid picture of the scene. Use both in your writing. Too much of one and not enough of the other doesn't make it as strong as it could be. Here's a site about showing VS telling you can use: http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/creative1/showing/

 

-Always work on expanding your vocabulary, so that you can say more in less time, and catch a readers attention. Also try your best to cut down on 'the, then, and, etc' as much as possible, and don't overuse them. Find alternatives.

 

That's about all I can think of at the moment Good luck.

[AnonyPoni 564]

I'd like to learn to write some stories...however my high school left me horribly underprepared for writing of any kind. I was hoping somepony would have advice on how to get started or prepared for writing a short story. Such as how in-depth the outline should be and so on. I should probably say I've never written any kind of fiction before. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

For me, when I write my MEGA RP posts, I try to see the situation as if it was a movie, and work really hard to decribe it to the best I can.

[SilverHeart 741]

-You can always try outlines, to get the basic idea for what the story is going to flow like structurally. I find that if I am left to wing a story, I get distracted and unsure where to go with it very fast, and then loose interest. So that might be something you can consider.

 

-Someone mentioned reading it back to yourself. I recommend doing this out loud as well. My English teacher told me that there is a huge difference. You will often catch errors and think of other, better ways to word things in your writing if you read it out loud to yourself, as opposed to simply reading it back to yourself. I've tried it myself and he was absolutely right, I ended up making a lot of small changes in some of my stories due to that method of editing, that I didn't think about just my reading.

 

-Don't force yourself. More often than not it doesn't turn out the way you want it. If you have writer's block, seek inspiration, don't try and make yourself write anyway. The best writing comes from inspiration, when you want to write the story.

 

-Master the difference between showing and telling. Telling is the simple descriptions that don't describe the scene as a picture but more as the story itself, while showing is in-depth description that paints a vivid picture of the scene. Use both in your writing. Too much of one and not enough of the other doesn't make it as strong as it could be. Here's a site about showing VS telling you can use: http://jerz.setonhil...ative1/showing/

 

-Always work on expanding your vocabulary, so that you can say more in less time, and catch a readers attention. Also try your best to cut down on 'the, then, and, etc' as much as possible, and don't overuse them. Find alternatives.

 

That's about all I can think of at the moment Good luck.

 

Thanks, that site should help alot. (obviously along with the rest of the advice)

 

 

-You can always try outlines, to get the basic idea for what the story is going to flow like structurally. I find that if I am left to wing a story, I get distracted and unsure where to go with it very fast, and then loose interest. So that might be something you can consider.

 

-Someone mentioned reading it back to yourself. I recommend doing this out loud as well. My English teacher told me that there is a huge difference. You will often catch errors and think of other, better ways to word things in your writing if you read it out loud to yourself, as opposed to simply reading it back to yourself. I've tried it myself and he was absolutely right, I ended up making a lot of small changes in some of my stories due to that method of editing, that I didn't think about just my reading.

 

-Don't force yourself. More often than not it doesn't turn out the way you want it. If you have writer's block, seek inspiration, don't try and make yourself write anyway. The best writing comes from inspiration, when you want to write the story.

 

-Master the difference between showing and telling. Telling is the simple descriptions that don't describe the scene as a picture but more as the story itself, while showing is in-depth description that paints a vivid picture of the scene. Use both in your writing. Too much of one and not enough of the other doesn't make it as strong as it could be. Here's a site about showing VS telling you can use: http://jerz.setonhil...ative1/showing/

 

-Always work on expanding your vocabulary, so that you can say more in less time, and catch a readers attention. Also try your best to cut down on 'the, then, and, etc' as much as possible, and don't overuse them. Find alternatives.

 

That's about all I can think of at the moment Good luck.

 

For me, when I write my MEGA RP posts, I try to see the situation as if it was a movie, and work really hard to decribe it to the best I can.

 

Sounds like a smart move. I'm not that into movies but I'll try that out. Also I'll admit I love your username.

[AnonyPoni 564]

 

Sounds like a smart move. I'm not that into movies but I'll try that out. Also I'll admit I love your username.

 

 

yay, somepony likes my username!!!

 

Anyway, good luck on your writing endevours

 

I highly recommend Roleplaying. It is a good way to practice and a way to get over "writer's remorse" (i get that a lot). If you want to see how deeply well written an RP can get, take a look at "The Good King". A we weren't the best writers when we started, but now we've gotten a lot better (Just so you know, RPs aren't normally this deep)

[SilverHeart 741]

yay, somepony likes my username!!!

 

Anyway, good luck on your writing endevours

 

I highly recommend Roleplaying. It is a good way to practice and a way to get over "writer's remorse" (i get that a lot). If you want to see how deeply well written an RP can get, take a look at "The Good King". A we weren't the best writers when we started, but now we've gotten a lot better (Just so you know, RPs aren't normally this deep)

 

I'll definitely check "The Good King" out, I've always wanted to try my hand at roleplaying but never really got around to it.

Thanks, with the advice here I should be able to figure at least something out.

Edited July 17, 2012 by SilverHeart

[Bari 7,023]

I think a good idea would be not going over board with descriptions. Also, look at other people's writing to get a feel for. Inspiration really helps get creative juices flowing.

[Samurshy 708]

I'd like to learn to write some stories...however my high school left me horribly underprepared for writing of any kind. I was hoping somepony would have advice on how to get started or prepared for writing a short story. Such as how in-depth the outline should be and so on. I should probably say I've never written any kind of fiction before. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Experience is the best teacher when it comes to writing, and I am not just talking about experience in writing either. You need to get out in the world, travel around, and look at the world as a writer would. You can learn so much just from studying your surroundings. But if you really want to know how to write, I would go to college and major in english. (Have no idea what grade you are in)

[AnonyPoni 564]

I'll definitely check "The Good King" out, I've always wanted to try my hand at roleplaying but never really got around to it.

Thanks, with the advice here I should be able to figure at least something out.

 

The great thing about "The Good King" is that it has gotten so complex and interesting, we've planned to make a real fanfic for it!

 

 

If you want to see something that I only wrote that everypony says I did a good job on, here's an RP that died a while ago

 

http://mlpforums.com/topic/19026-silent-crime/page__st__220

 

I decided to re-give life to it by taking over and finishing the story. There are 6 parts, and I need to work on part 7. I hope you like it and it helps you out!

 

 

Just remember the way I write, or Jadefire writes (he's really good too), or Harper Lee writes aren't necessarily the way you write, as that very personal and varies a lot. I look forward to reading what you write!

[SilverHeart 741]

Experience is the best teacher when it comes to writing, and I am not just talking about experience in writing either. You need to get out in the world, travel around, and look at the world as a writer would. You can learn so much just from studying your surroundings. But if you really want to know how to write, I would go to college and major in english. (Have no idea what grade you are in)

 

I'm currently a sophomore in college, I'm majoring in History and Psychology. I have however been trying to stay away from the English courses so I could keep my scholarship. However I will probably have to take some next semester. Could you also elaborate on what you mean by "look at the world as a writer would."?

[MyLittleCell 106]

I'm currently a sophomore in college, I'm majoring in History and Psychology. I have however been trying to stay away from the English courses so I could keep my scholarship. However I will probably have to take some next semester. Could you also elaborate on what you mean by "look at the world as a writer would."?

 

Being a writer myself, i see the world as a story in itself. The amount of diffrent people and situatiuons. Almost anything can start a spark for my next story.

[SilverHeart 741]

The great thing about "The Good King" is that it has gotten so complex and interesting, we've planned to make a real fanfic for it!

 

 

If you want to see something that I only wrote that everypony says I did a good job on, here's an RP that died a while ago

 

http://mlpforums.com...e/page__st__220

 

I decided to re-give life to it by taking over and finishing the story. There are 6 parts, and I need to work on part 7. I hope you like it and it helps you out!

 

 

Just remember the way I write, or Jadefire writes (he's really good too), or Harper Lee writes aren't necessarily the way you write, as that very personal and varies a lot. I look forward to reading what you write!

 

I'll definitely give them both a read. Thanks, hopefully I'll get something decent out soon.

 

Being a writer myself, i see the world as a story in itself. The amount of diffrent people and situatiuons. Almost anything can start a spark for my next story.

 

Interesting, that seems to be something you have in common with artists and musicians then. I guess I'll try to think like that.

[Evilshy 5,090]

I can somehow remember tons of stuff, so I don't generally write any of my ideas down. It serves as a way to cull bad ideas; if it's not so good it makes me think "oh my god I want to write this", then I probably won't remember it, and it will be replaced by something that's better.

 

Also, I spend months planning out stuff in my head before I get down to writing it. In fact, I rarely ever get around to actually writing XD

RPing helped a lot with getting over my dislike of writing little details, and boring things in between the spurts of action and other interesting stuff. I'd definitely join some RPs if I were you, or at least lurk in some with people who know what they're doing.

 

I agree a lot with not forcing yourself to write. It's never as good as it would've been if you'd let it come to you naturally. By all means, have times when you sit down and try and force yourself to think of good ideas, but if you keep blanking on it, stop and do something else.

 

I always plan best while listening to good progressive metal, but that could just be because it's my favorite music genre. Still, I'd give listening to some of your favorite music while thinking a try. Make sure it's stuff you've listened to plenty and are familiar with, though; if it's new stuff, your brain will be trying to process all the new sounds and lyrics while you're trying to think, and neither ends up getting done all that well. It should be music you can get lost in without having to concentrate on actually listening to it.

Edited July 18, 2012 by Evilshy

[Samurshy 708]

I'm currently a sophomore in college, I'm majoring in History and Psychology. I have however been trying to stay away from the English courses so I could keep my scholarship. However I will probably have to take some next semester. Could you also elaborate on what you mean by "look at the world as a writer would."?

 

Well, most authors do years of research before actually writing the book. If they are writing about a specific place, they visit that place, and look at every detail of that place. You also need to have a well defined lexicon, the more descriptive words you have at your command, the more riveting the book is going to be.

[MasterCombine 316]

I second the notion that others have proposed about RPing. Roleplaying is, in a way, like writing a story with several other people (Actually, that's essentially what it is). True, you're only responsible for one character, and unless you're the GM you usually only have to respond to plot events, but it's a good way to develop writing skills. It's also especially fun when you're playing with other people who really want to tell a good story

[Xievie 498]

#1 Protip - Have fun with it.

 

Not having fun with it? Trash it.

 

I'd rather kiss each of the Mane 6's flanks than go on with what I regret ever writing.

 

Better to have fun and complete.